Anderson Co. Man Charged with 27 Counts of TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE – An Anderson County man is charged in Knox County with TennCare fraud for using his son’s TennCare healthcare insurance benefits.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) today announced the arrest of Anthony Eugene Morgan, alias Anthony Eugene Morgan, Sr., 44, of Clinton. It’s his second arrest for TennCare fraud.

A Knox County Grand Jury charged Morgan with four counts of identity theft and 27 counts of TennCare fraud. Charges say that between April and June of 2011 he received TennCare benefits by means of identifying himself as another person (his son) with the intent to commit unlawful activity.

Morgan was first arrested on a warrant on April 10, 2011, when he was charged with attempting to use his son’s TennCare benefits in order to obtain the painkiller Percocet for himself.

“Tennesseans will no longer tolerate prescription abuse, and we intend to stop this crime in the TennCare program,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “Providers, pharmacies, and police are more acutely aware of the extremes some people will go to in order to get prescription drugs, especially painkillers.”

Identity theft is a Class D felony that carries a maximum of four years in prison per charge. Illegally obtaining TennCare medical benefits is a Class E felony that carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison per charge. District Attorney Randall Nichols will prosecute.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $3.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $173 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures. To date, over 1,700 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.

Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."